Tips for Golf Injury Prevention

As the weather warms up, many recreational golfers are taking out their clubs for the first time in months. While golf isn’t an aerobic sport and doesn’t seem like it would cause many injuries, many people do experience low back pain from playing golf. The Rehabilitation Department at the Hospital for Special Surgery provides the following tips to keep your body healthy and to prevent golf injuries:

1. Always warm up and stretch before playing or hitting at the practice range. A proper warm up such as walking, a slow jog, or low level calisthenics elevate your core temperature and increase blood flow to muscles. Stretching will increase flexibility and reduce the risk of muscle/tendon injuries.

2. Stretching should not be restricted to the shoulder and elbow. The legs and hips should also be included. Remember, golf involves a great deal of walking and the golf swing has a significant contribution from the lower body.

3. Pay particular attention to hamstring flexibility. Tight hamstrings have a negative effect on posture and increase pressure on the low back. Low back pain is the most common injury for recreational golfers.

4. Perform exercises to increase your trunk flexibility. One of the main differences between professional and amateur golfers is the amount of trunk rotation. Increasing trunk rotation during the backswing allows you to store more energy and generate more clubhead speed. This can result in greater distance.

5. Perform strengthening exercises for your legs and hips. Power of the golf swing begins at the hips. Strong, stable hips and thighs help to maintain posture throughout the swing and allow the swing to be more explosive. The hips and legs also absorb forces from the upper body during the follow through reducing the chances of injury.

The information provided in this blog by HSS and our affiliated physicians is for general informational and educational purposes, and should not be considered medical advice for any individual problem you may have. This information is not a substitute for the professional judgment of a qualified health care provider who is familiar with the unique facts about your condition and medical history. You should always consult your health care provider prior to starting any new treatment, or terminating or changing any ongoing treatment. Every post on this blog is the opinion of the author and may not reflect the official position of HSS. Please contact us if we can be helpful in answering any questions or to arrange for a visit or consult.

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Located in New York City, HSS is nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics (for the tenth consecutive year) and No. 3 in rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report (2019-20). Our mission is to provide the highest quality patient care, improve mobility and enhance the quality of life for all, and to advance the science of orthopedic surgery, rheumatology and their related disciplines through research and education. To make an appointment call 888.720.1982 or visit www.hss.edu. Please do not share personal health information on this site.